Soft sided luggage construction



April 9, 1963 M. DAVIS 3,084,771

SOFT .sIpEn LUGGAGE CONSTRUCTION Filed March 26, 1962 2 Sheets-Sheet 1FIG.3

INVENTOR.

Michael Davis ATTORNEY A ril 9, 1963 M. DAVIS 3,034,771

SOFT SIDED LUGGAGE CONSTRUCTION Filed March 26 1962 V 2 Sheets-Sheet 2FIG. 8 28A INVENTOR.

Michael Davis ATTORNEY United States Patent 3,084,771 SOFT SIDED LUGGAGECONSTRUCTIGN Michael Davis, 251-21 61st Ave., Little Neck, N.Y. FiledMar. 26, 1962, Ser. No. 182,221 4 Claims. (Cl. 190--41) This inventionrelates in general to the luggage art, and more specifically to animproved construction for a lightweight, rugged and relativelyinexpensive luggage.

An object of this invention is to provide an improved luggage that isrelatively simple in construction and one which is formed of arelatively few number of component arts.

Another object of this invention is to provide a novel luggage formed ofcomponent parts which can be readily fabricated and assembled with aminimum of ease.

Still another object is to provide a luggage construction that is sturdyand resistant to impact, wear and abrasion incident to normal handling Afurther object is to provide an improved luggage construction that isneat and pleasing in appearance.

A further object of this invention is to provide a luggage formed ofprefabricated molded parts that can be readily fitted together and thecomponent parts readily secured together by either gluing, heat sealing,sewing, riveting or clamping.

The above objects and other features and advantages .of this inventionare attained by a luggage construction which comprises a minimum ofcomponent parts which can be readily fitted and secured together.Essentially, in one form of the invention the luggage construction includes a pair of end panels with a top and bottom panel fitted to theend panels to define therewith an open sided luggage construction.Preferably the ends, top and bottom panels are formed as molded plasticcomponents, and the open sides of the luggage frame are closed by asuitable panel member. In another form of the invention, the top, bottomand one interconnecting side panel are integrally formed as a singlemolded piece which is fitted between the end walls. In either form, oneof the side panels is preferably formed of a soft, flexible material,e.g. a fabric, which has formed therein a flap by which access m be hadto the luggage. A Zipper-type fastener or the' il may be provided tosecure the marginal portions of the flap to the adjacent portions of thesoft panel to secure the flap in closed position.

A feature resides in the provision that the luggage constructed inaccordance with this invention is relatively very inexpensive toconstruct, and further the respective components may be secured in avariety of different manners.

Other features and advantages will become readily apparent whenconsidered in view of the drawings and specification in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the luggage of this invention;

'FIG. 2 is a diagrammatic end sectional view of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an inside view of the end panel construction;

FIG. 4 is a detail side view of the bottom panel construction;

FIG. 5 is an end view of the bottom panel of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary plan view of the bottom panel;

FIG. 7 is a detail side view of the top panel construction;

FIG. 8 is an end view of top panel of FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a partial plan view of the top panel;

FIG. 10 is a sectional view taken along line 101t) of FIG. 3;

FIG. 11 is a sectional view taken along line 1111 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 11A is a detail of a slightly modified construction ice taken alongline 1111 of FIG. *1 illustrating the interconnection between the endpanel and the soft side panel;

FIG. 12 is a modified construction of the detail of FIG. 11; FIGS. 13and 14 are other modified detail constructions illustrating otherarrangements by which the side panel may be secured to the end panels;FIG. 15 is a detail showing of a binding construction; FIG. 16illustrates a modified form of the invention; and FIG. 17 illustrates asectional view of a modified embodiment.

Referring to the drawings, there'is shown in FIG. 1 the improved luggageconstruction 25 of this invention. Essentially, it comprises a pair ofsimilarly constructed end panels 26 and 27 interconnected in spacedrelationships by a top panel 28 and a bottom panel 29. In theirassembled relationships the end panels 26, :27, top panel 28, and bottompanel 29 define an open sided luggage frame construction. In accordancewith this invention, the open sides are closed by a pair of side panels30 and 31. Preferably at least one of the side panels 3-1 is formed of asoft material, e.g. a woven fabric 31A or the like, and it has formedtherein a flap 32 by which access maybe had to the luggage 25.

More specifically, the end panels 26, 27 are each formed as moldedplastic components which are substantially rectangular in shape.However, it will be understood that the general configuration of the endpanels may vary without affecting the inventive concept. As shown inFIG. 3, the end panels in one form of the invention are formed with alaterally extending flange 33 extending circum-ferentially about theperiphery of the panel. The end of the flange 33 is reversely folded, asviewed in FIG. 3, todefine a leg portion 34, spaced from flange 33 toform a circumferentially extending grove 35-. If desired, the planarportions 26A of the end panels 26 may be provided with embossed portions26B to enhance the strength characteristics thereof.

The bottom panel 29 is formed as a molded plastic component that isslightly dish shaped in cross section. Thus, the longitudinal edgeportions 29A of the bottom panel 29 define rigid rounded corners for theluggage in the as sem'bled position thereof.

It will be noted that, if desired, short embossments 2913 may beintegrally molded with the bottom panel 29 to define short leg likestructures on which the luggage may be rested. Each end of the bottompanel 29, it will be noted, is slightly ofiset as indicated at 29C. Thusin the assembled position, the offset portions 29C of the bottom panel29 are received in the groove 35 formed in the bottom portion of therespective end panels 26, 27. For added strength, the bottom panel, ifdesired, may be provided with longitudinally extending embossed ribs.

The top panel 28 construction, as seen in FIGS. 7 to 9, is somewhatsimilar in construction to the bottom panel 29. The top panel 28 islikewise preformed as a molded plastic component and it is likewiseformed with rounded corners 28A extending longitudinally thereof. Asshown, a central longitudinally extending embossed rib 28B is providedto increase the panel rigidity. The ends of the top panel 28 are alsoformed with an offset portion 28C at each end and which in the assembledposition are receivable in the top portions of the groove 35 in therespective end panels 26, 27.

For securing the top and bottom panels 28, 29 respectively, to the endpanels 26, 27, it will be appreciated that this may be done either bygluing, heat sealing, as the components are formed of a thermoplasticmaterial, or by stapling, riveting or clamping.

Closing the open sides of the luggage are a pair of side panels 30 and3 1. As shown in FIG. 1, one side panel 30 may be formed of a rigidthermoplastic material of the type from which the side, top and bottompanels are formed. This side panel 30 in the illustrated embodimentcomprises simply a rectangularly shaped panel which has its end portionsreceived in the upright portion 35A of the groove 35 formed in the endpanels 26 and 27. The top and bottom marginal edges of the side panelare disposed to underlie the adjacent marginal portions of therespective top and bottom panels, and are secured thereto preferably bya sewn seam. If desired, a binding may be fitted about the ends of theside panels and adjacent edges of the top and bottom panels 28, 29,respectively, to provide for a more finished appearance.

The other side panel 31 in the illustrated embodiment of FIG. 1 isclosed by a soft fabric panel which is preferably secured in place by asewn seam. This panel has formed therein a flap 32 which is cut out ofthe soft panel 31. Thus the portion of the soft panel 31 from which theflap 32 is cut defines the opening for permitting access to the luggage25. A zipper type fastener 37 is provided to seal flap 32 over theaccess opening in the soft panel 3-1. The soft panel 31 is secured tothe edges of the top and bottom panels in a manner similar to that ofpanel 30.

As shown in FIGS. 11 to 13, various modified means may be employed tosecure the side panels 30, 31 in position between the end panels 26, 27.

In the embodiment of FIG. 11, the soft panel 40 is framed on four sidesadjacent the marginal edge thereof by a molding strip 41 having a beadedportion 41A coextensive therewith. As therein shown, the soft panel 40with moulding strip 41 attached thereto is fitted with the grooves 42 ofan end panel 43 so that the end 44 of the outer groove wall 45 abutsagainst the bead 41A. Thus a finished and more pleasing appearance isafforded thereby. Along the edges of the top and bottom panel, the strip'41 is disposed in underlying relationship therewith so that thelongitudinal edge of the respective top and bottom panels engage thebead 41A.

The modification of FIG. 12 is similar except that the moulding 51comprises simply a flat member minus the bead which is secured to thepanel 52. Further, the moulding strip 51 in this form of the inventionis positioned on the inside of the panel 52.

FIG. 13 illustrates a further modification of the invention. In thisform, the end panel 60 also required modification. As seen, a luggageconstruction of this form of the invention has an end panel 60 which isprovided with a laterally extending flange 6 1 only. Accordingly, theflange 61 extends around the entire periphery of the end panel =60. Therespective top, bottom and side panels are secured thereto by a U-shapedmoulding member or hinder 62. Thus, as seen in FIG. 13, the side panel 63- overlies the flange 61 of the end panel 60, and the moulding strip 62is fitted to the overlying portions of the flange 61 and side panel 63.The respective flange portions 61 and panel 63 may then be secured bysewing, riveting, gluing or heat sealing the moulding or binding 62thereto.

As shown in FIG. 15, the U-shaped moulding 70 may be provided withprojections 7-1 spaced longitudinally therealong. The projections aresuitably formed by the application of pressure on a suitable tool, eg astar wheel rolling along the moulding so that the flange portions 72 ofthe member 70 may be positively clamped to a flange and overlying panelportion in an arrangement as disclosed in FIG. 13.

The form of the invention as defined in FIG. 14, is similar to thatdescribed with reference to FIG. 13 except that the side panel 80 isprovided with an offset portion 81 to define a shoulder '82. Thus, inthe assembled position the flange '83 of the moulding 84- lies flushwith the surface of the side panel 80.

To complete the construction of the luggage, a suit able handle 190 maybe hingedly connected to the top panel 28. Also, to lock the zipperfastener 37 in the closed position, a suitable look catch 191 may besecured to the side of the panel 31 adjacent the closed end of thezipper fastener 37.

For the foregoing description, it will be apparent that the luggage 25described is relatively simple in construction, and comprisesessentially of only six major component parts. As shown, the majority ofthem can be prefabricated as moulded members, and simply secured bytongue and slot type of fastening means, supplemented by gluing, sewing,riveting or clamping. The luggage 25 further is rendered easy to handle,rugged in construction and pleasing in appearance.

FIG. 16 illustrates a modified form of the invention. In this form theend panels of the luggage are similarly formed as described withreference to the showing of FIG. 3. However, the body member of themodified construction is formed as an integral moulded piece whichcomprises a top portion 91, a bottom portion 92 and an interconnectingside portion 93. As previously described, the top portion 91 may beprovided with an embossed rigid 91A for added strength; and the bottomportion 92 formed with embossed leg portions 92A. A soft flexible panel94 similar to that herein described with reference to FIG. 1 is securedto the marginal portions of the top and bottom portions. This soft panelalso is provided with the flap construction 94A and zipper fastener asherein described. A handle means 95 is also provided. In this form itwill be noted that the integral body piece 90 is fitted into thecircumferential grooves of the side panel, and may be secured thereto inany of the ways hereinbefore described.

FIG. 17 illustrates a further modified form of the invention. In thisform, the luggage includes a pair of end panels 101, 102 which aresubstantially similar to that herein described with reference to FIGS. 1and 3. The top and bottom panel-s, not shown in FIG. 17, are the same astop and bottom panels 28, 29 of FIGS. 1, 4 and 7. The side panels 103-,10 4 are similar to that shown in FIG. 1, panel 103 being formed withthe flap 103A. This form of the invention differs from the formof FIG. 1in that a second end panel 105, 106 is provided at each end. End panels105, 106 are each provided with :lateral flanges 105A and 106Arespectively, and they are arranged to abut against the end portions ofthe side panels 103, 104. In accordance with this form of the invention,

the inner end panels 105, 106 are not made as heavy as the outer endpanel @101, 102. However, th age made sufliciently rigid so as tofunction as means to further strengthen the ends of the luggage 100. Asshown, the flanges 105A, 106A and the abutting end portions of the sidepanels 103 and 104 are received in the groove 101A, 102A circumscribingthe respective end panels 101, 102. It will be understood that the meansfor securing outer end panels 101, 102, flanges of the inner panels andthe abutting edges of the :side panels 103, 104 may be secured in any ofthe ways herein described with reference to FIG. 1.

It will be understood that auxiliary end panels may be used in a similarmanner as in the other forms of the invention disclosed herein.

While the instant invention has been disclosed with reference to severalembodiments for practicing the same, it is to be appreciated that theinvention is not to be taken as limited to all of the details thereof asmodifications and variations thereof may be made without departing fromthe spirit or scope of the invention.

What I claim is:

1. A luggage construction comprising a pair of substantiallyrectangularly shaped molded end panels formed of a rigid plasticmaterial, each of said end panels being free of any covering materialand having a circumferentially extending marginal groove formed integraltherewith, a molded top panel and a molded bottom panel interconnectingsaid end panels in spaced relationship, said top and bottom panelshaving an integrally connected rounded corner extending longitudinallyalong each edge thereof, said top and bottom panels having theirrespective end portions fitted into the groove formed in each of saidend panels to define with the rigid end panels a luggage frame havingfull open sides, a rear panel connected between the end panels andbetween the top and bottom panels to close one side thereof, and a softflexible panel closing the other side of said luggage, said soft panelhaving a flap cut therein to define an access opening to said luggageand means for fastening and unfastening said flap to the soft panel toopen and close said access opening, said soft panel includes a rigidmoulding circumscribing the marginal edge of said soft panel, saidmolding having opposed moulding portions whereby said opposed mouldingportions are fitted into the upright groove portions formed in said endpanels.

2. The invention as defined in claim 1 wherein said moulding includes abead, and said soft panel and connected moulding being fitted into saidgroove in said end panels so that the bead lies immediately against saidgroove.

3. A luggage construction comprising a pair of substantiallyrectangularly shaped molded end panels formed of a rigid plasticmaterial, each of said end panels having a circumferentially andlater-ally extending marginal flange formed integral therewith, a rigidmolded top self-supporting panel and a rigid molded bottomself-supporting panel interconnected between said end panels, said topand bottom panels having an integrally connected rounded cornerextending longitudinally along each edge thereof, said top and bottompanels having their respective end portions overlying the flanges formedon each of said end panels, a side panel disposed between the end panelsand between the top and bottom panels to close one side thereof, saidside panel having its peripheral marginal portions overlying the flangesof the end panels and the adjacent longitudinal edges of said top andbottom panels, a soft side panel closing the other side of said luggage,said soft panel having a flap cut therein to define an access opening tosaid luggage, means for fastening and unfastening said flap to the softpanel to open and close said access opening, said soft panel having itsperipheral marginal portion overlying the flanges of said end panels andthe adjacent longitudinal edge of said top and bottom panels, .and meansfor securing the ends of said top, bottom and respective side panels tothe underlying circumferentially extending flanges of the respective endpanels, said last mentioned means includes a U-shaped binding, saidbinding having its opposed leg portions gripping therebetween saidflange and overlying top, bottom and side panels, and means forpermanently securing said binding to the end panel flanges, saidsecuring means include a plurality of spaced projections for clampingthe opposed leg portions of said binding to the side panel flanges andoverlying end portions of said top, bottom and side panels.

4. A luggage construction comprising a pair of substantiallyrectangularly shaped molded end panels formed of a rigid plasticmaterial, each of said end panels being free of any covering materialand having a circumferentially extending marginal groove formed integraltherewith, a molded top panel and a molded bottom panel interconnectingsaid end panels in spaced relationship, said top and bottom panelshaving an integrally connected rounded corner extending longitudinallyalong each edge thereof, said top and bottom panels having theirrespective end portions fitted into the groove formed in each of saidend panels to define with the rigid end panels a luggage frame havingfull open sides, a rear panel connected between the end panels andbetween the top and bottom panels to close one side thereof, and a softflexible panel closing the other side of said luggage, said soft panelhaving a rflap cut therein to define an access opening to said luggageand means for fastening and unfastening said flap to the soft panel toopen and close said access opening, and including a second pair of endpanels, said second pair of end panels each having laterally extendingflanges disposed in abutting relationship to said side panels, saidflanges and abutting side panels being received in the groove formedintegral to said first mentioned end panels.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS1,424,317 Nesser Aug. 1, 1922 1,690,507 Shwayder Nov. 6-, 1928 2,389,601DeWitt Nov. 27, 1945 2,746,581 Ritter May 22, 1956 2,832,448 Ax'tellApr. 29, 1958 3,023,867 Kotkins Mar. 6, 1962 3,029,855 Telford Apr. 17,1962 FOREIGN PATENTS 868,686 Great Britain May 25, 1961

1. A LUGGAGE CONSTRUCTION COMPRISING A PAIR OF SUBSTANTIALLYRECTANGULARLY SHAPED MOLDED END PANELS FORMED OF A RIGID PLASTICMATERIAL, EACH OF SAID END PANELS BEING FREE OF ANY COVERING MATERIALAND HAVING A CIRCUMFERENTIALLY EXTENDING MARGINAL GROOVE FORMED INTEGRALTHEREWITH, A MOLDED TOP PANEL AND A MOLDED BOTTOM PANEL INTERCONNECTINGSAID END PANELS IN SPACED RELATIONSHIP, SAID TOP AND BOTTOM PANELSHAVING AN INTEGRALLY CONNECTED ROUNDED CORNER EXTENDING LONGITUDINALLYALONG EACH EDGE THEREOF, SAID TOP AND BOTTOM PANELS HAVING THEIRRESPECTIVE END PORTIONS FITTED INTO THE GROOVE FORMED IN EACH OF SAIDEND PANELS TO DEFINE WITH THE RIGID END PANELS A LUGGAGE FRAME HAVINGFULL OPEN SIDES, A REAR PANEL CONNECTED BETWEEN THE END PANELS ANDBETWEEN THE TOP AND BOTTOM PANELS TO CLOSE ONE SIDE THEREOF, AND A SOFTFLEXIBLE PANEL CLOSING THE OTHER SIDE OF SAID LUGGAGE, SAID SOFT PANELHAVING A FLAP CUT THEREIN TO DEFINE AN ACCESS OPENING TO SAID LUGGAGEAND MEANS FOR FASTENING AND UNFASTENING SAID FLAP TO THE SOFT PANEL TOOPEN AND CLOSE SAID ACCESS OPENING, SAID SOFT PANEL INCLUDES A RIGIDMOULDING CIRCUMSCRIBING THE MARGINAL EDGE OF SAID SOFT PANEL, SAIDMOLDING HAVING OPPOSED MOULDING PORTIONS WHEREBY SAID OPPOSED MOULDINGPORTIONS ARE FITTED INTO THE UPRIGHT GROOVE PORTIONS FORMED IN SAID ENDPANELS.